Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro taken into preventive custody

Brasilia: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into preventive custody by police in Brasilia, following an order from the Federal Supreme Court.

According to preliminary information from the Federal Police, the arrest was not the result of any punishment, but rather a precautionary measure at the request of investigators. Bolsonaro was detained around 6:00 a.m. (0900 GMT) local time on Saturday and immediately taken to Federal Police Headquarters in the capital.

The detention comes as part of the final phase of the investigation into an alleged coup plot in the country. Bolsonaro, who was in power from 2019 to 2022, had been under house arrest since August 4 and was ordered into preventive custody on grounds of protecting public order.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, under that process, he was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison.

On Friday, Bolsonaro’s defense team submitted a request to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the rapporteur on the case, seeking permission for the former president to remain under house arrest, citing health problems.

No timeline has been set for Bolsonaro’s testimony, and officials have not indicated whether further steps will be taken throughout the day. His legal team has not issued any further statements on next steps.

This preventive arrest comes as the Federal Supreme Court and Federal Police have launched several investigations into Bolsonaro’s actions during his administration and after leaving office. Judicial officials said more information will be released once the relevant confidentiality orders are lifted.